Which cycle moves through the lithosphere, picks up nutrients, and cycles into the biosphere?

Which cycle moves through the lithosphere, picks up nutrients, and cycles into the biosphere?

• A. Oxygen cycle
• B. Water cycle
• C. Phosphorus cycle
• D. Nitrogen cycle

Answer: (B)

The correct choice is the phosphorus cycle. This cycle is crucial because it involves the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, which consists of rocks and soil. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for living organisms, playing a vital role in DNA, RNA, and ATP, the energy currency of cells. Within the phosphorus cycle, phosphorus is released from rocks through weathering. It then enters the soil or water systems, where it becomes accessible to plants. When plants absorb phosphorus, it becomes part of their biological systems, thus cycling into the biosphere. Animals obtain phosphorus by consuming plants, and when organisms die or excrete waste, phosphorus returns to the soil or water, eventually undergoing processes that return it to the lithosphere. In contrast, other cycles mentioned, such as the nitrogen cycle and water cycle, focus on different elements or involve atmospheric processes rather than specifically highlighting the movement of nutrients through the lithosphere to the biosphere. The oxygen cycle primarily revolves around the movement of oxygen in various forms through the atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, not focusing on lithospheric processes. Therefore, the phosphorus cycle is the one that accurately describes the nutrient cycling between the lithosphere and the biosphere.

The correct choice is the phosphorus cycle. This cycle is crucial because it involves the movement of phosphorus through the lithosphere, which consists of rocks and soil. Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for living organisms, playing a vital role in DNA, RNA, and ATP, the energy currency of cells.

Within the phosphorus cycle, phosphorus is released from rocks through weathering. It then enters the soil or water systems, where it becomes accessible to plants. When plants absorb phosphorus, it becomes part of their biological systems, thus cycling into the biosphere. Animals obtain phosphorus by consuming plants, and when organisms die or excrete waste, phosphorus returns to the soil or water, eventually undergoing processes that return it to the lithosphere.

In contrast, other cycles mentioned, such as the nitrogen cycle and water cycle, focus on different elements or involve atmospheric processes rather than specifically highlighting the movement of nutrients through the lithosphere to the biosphere. The oxygen cycle primarily revolves around the movement of oxygen in various forms through the atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere, not focusing on lithospheric processes. Therefore, the phosphorus cycle is the one that accurately describes the nutrient cycling between the lithosphere and the biosphere.